391results about "Signal boxes station blocking" patented technology

A train control system includes a control module that determines a position of a train using a positioning system and consults a database to determine when the train is approaching a portion of track monitored by a track circuit. When the train is near a track circuit, but while the train is still far enough away from the track circuit such that the train can be stopped before reaching the portion of track monitored by the track circuit, the train transmits an interrogation message to a transceiver associated with the track circuit. When the track circuit receives the interrogation message, a test is initiated. The test results are transmitted back to the train. The train takes corrective action if the track circuit fails to respond or indicates a problem.

A railroad traffic control system that links each locomotive to a control center for communicating data and control signals. Using on-board computers, GPS and two-way communication hardware, rolling stock continuously communicate position, vital sign data, and other information for recording in a data base and for integration in a comprehensive computerized control system. The data base includes train schedules for real time display on train monitors. The current position of each train is compared to its planned schedule online to provide immediate information to the dispatcher to determine whether a corrective action is necessary. When a train's deviation from its planned schedule exceeds a predetermined parameter, the system automatically calculates alternative schedules for all trains in the system according to preselected operational constraints as necessary to minimize the effect of the deviation.

A train control system and method uses signal information from a next block to change a restrictive signal in a block currently occupied by the train to a less restrictive signal if it can be ascertained that the condition causing the more restrictive signal has changed. This may be accomplished by receiving signal information from the next block while still in the current block and, if the signal information from the next block is no more restrictive than the signal information in the current block, and the signal in the current block is of a type that can safely be modified, allowing the train to operate as if the signal information for the current block were less restrictive than the actual, previously received signal information for the current block.

A method is provided for detecting broken rail, track continuity, and track occupancy ahead of or behind a railroad vehicle traveling in fixed-block territory equipped with an AC track code wayside signal system or cab signal overlay system, and a communications link. This method, when used as an integral part of a communications-based train control (CBTC) or positive train control (PTC) system, allows immediate, automatic detection of broken rail, track occupancies, or open turnouts ahead of or behind a train in an occupied block. It also facilitates true moving-block or virtual block CBTC or PTC, thereby enabling higher efficiency and track utilization.

A method and an apparatus for an on-board train control device are provided, and are based on converting speed codes received from wayside cab-signaling devices into movement authority limits. The device determines the train location independent of the wayside train detection system, and generates and enforces stopping profiles based on said movement authority limits.

A porous polymeric membrane formed from a blend of a polymeric membrane forming material, such as polyvinylidene fluoride or polysulfone and a polymeric reactivity modifying agent adapted to modify the surface active properties of the porous polymeric membrane. The reactivity modifying agent is preferably a linear polymeric anhydride, such as poly(alkyl vinyl ether / maleic anhydride). The surface activity modifications include modification of the hydrophilicity / hydrophobicity balance of the membrane, or hydrolysis followed by reaction with a polyamine to form a crosslinked polyamide layer. Such modified membranes have use as reverse osmosis membranes.

A train control system, including: a communication device associated with at least one control unit located on a first train; and a communication device associated with at least one control unit located on a second train; wherein at least one of the control units of the first train and the second train is configured to: (i) receive, at the associated communication device, an authority signal including data sufficient to identify one of the first train and the second train as a lead train and the other of the first train and the second train as a follower train; (ii) establish at least one peer-to-peer communication link between the communication devices of the lead train and the follower train; and (iii) exchange train data between the lead train and the follower train via the at least one peer-to-peer communication link. An on-board control unit is also disclosed.

A method is provided for detecting broken rail, unintentionally misaligned turnouts, and track occupancy ahead of or behind a railway vehicle traveling on a railroad track. Shunts extend between the rails at intervals along the railroad track. Each shunt has electrical signal transmission characteristics differing from those of adjacent shunts. A test unit on the railway vehicle induces a test signal in a first rail to create a track circuit in which the test signal propagates along the first rail, through at least one of the shunts, returns to the railway vehicle along the second rail, and through the wheels and axle of the railway vehicle. The test signal has electrical properties selected to interact with at least one of the shunts. The received test signal on the second rail is analyzed to identify predetermined conditions concerning the status of the railroad track.

A method for communicating data in a rail vehicle consist includes transmitting, at a first rail vehicle in the consist, first data over a running rail to a second, different rail vehicle in the consist, where the running rail guides and supports the rail vehicles of the consist as the rail vehicles travel along the running rail. The method also includes monitoring the running rail for second data and receiving the second data over the running rail for use by a first system onboard the first rail vehicle.

A train control system includes a communication device associated with at least one control unit located on a first train; and a communication device associated with at least one control unit located on a second train. At least one of the control units of the first train and the second train is configured to receive, at the associated communication device, an authority signal including data sufficient to identify one of the first train and the second train as a lead train and the other of the first train and the second train as a follower train, establish at least one peer-to-peer communication link between the communication devices of the lead train and the follower train, and exchange train data between the lead train and the follower train via the at least one peer-to-peer communication link. An on-board control unit is also disclosed.

A train control system includes positioning systems at the end of the train and at the front of the train, allowing the conductor or engineer to unambiguously determine that no cars of the train have become detached. The positioning system at the end of the train is also used to verify that the entire train has cleared a block. This information can be relayed to a dispatcher, thereby eliminating the need for trackside sensing equipment. A control unit prevents the train from moving without an authorization that includes the train's current position.

A vital proximity detection mechanism and method for reliably determining and communicating the position of a railroad switch point relative to a normal fixed track and a reverse fixed track, wherein the mechanism includes substantial component redundancy and fault-checking features and otherwise meets promulgated safety standards for vital componentry. The mechanism includes an RF transmitter and remote status indicator unit to allow for remote adjustments of proximity sensors while monitoring the effects of such adjustments.

Even if any failure occurs in radio in the regular safety, confirmation of train existence on-rail and safety control can be continued by a backup system in the substitutive safety. To a signaling safety system that by ground-train communication by radio in the regular safety using a base station 102 and an antenna 107, the position of each of cars 100 is notified to a ground train controller 101 as information of existence on-rail from the cars 100 and on the basis of the information of existence on-rail, information of speed restriction is transmitted from the controller 101 to each of the cars 100, a substitutive safety system that when each of the cars 100 approaches its specific range, by communication between ground communication devices 103 and 104 and an on-train communication device which are installed so as to communicate with each other, car information from each of the cars 100 can be received by the controller is newly added. Generally, concurrently with the regular safety, by the substitutive safety system, the existence on-rail of each of the cars 100 is controlled for each new block section. However, when the ground-train communication by radio cannot be used in this state, the controller 101 switches the operation by the regular safety to the operation by the substitutive safety and the train control and safety control by the substitutive safety system can be continued.

The invention claims a computer interlock system and method for controlling urban rail transit signals thereof, which relate to urban rail transit signal control field. The computer interlock system disclosed in the invention at least comprises an interlock control unit and an input and output unit, wherein the interlock control unit carries out a double two out of two interlock logical operation of according to state information of each signal device when receives an interlock operating command, and determines the state information of the signal device to be controlled by the interlock operating command according to the result of the interlock logical operation and outputs to the input and output unit; the input and output unit outputs driving information for controlling the signal device to reach the determined state to the signal device to be controlled by the interlock operating command. The example in the application can guarantee a subway system to operate safely and reliably; and the embodiment in the application is not only suitable for moving block, but also suitable for quasi moving block and fixed block, and is high in flexibility.

The present invention provides a method and system for detecting guideway anomalies. In particular, the present invention generates and couples a wave pulse into a guideway. The wave pulse travels down the guideway until it reaches an anomaly. The anomaly causes a return wave pulse. The time difference between the generated wave and the return wave allows calculation of the deference to the anomaly.

A method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) includes forming a first and second plurality of spacers on a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a silicon layer, and wherein the first plurality of spacers have a thickness that is different from a thickness of the second plurality of spacers; and etching the silicon layer in the substrate using the first and second plurality of spacers as a mask, wherein the etched silicon layer forms a first plurality and a second plurality of fin field effect transistor (FINFET) channel regions, and wherein the first plurality of FINFET channel regions each have a respective thickness that corresponds to the thickness of the first plurality of spacers, and wherein the second plurality of FINFET channel regions each have a respective thickness that corresponds to the thickness of the second plurality of spacers.

A double wire seal has a first grommet for sealing a conductor relative to a substrate having opposite sides and an opening therethrough for a conductor. The first grommet has axially opposite ends. A second grommet for sealing the conductor relative to a door panel having opposite ends and an opening therethrough for the conductor. The second grommet has axially opposite ends. The first grommet secures the conductor to the substrate. The second grommet secures the conductor to the door panel.

A wireless communication system includes: a filter; and a semiconductor chip including a signal processing integrated circuit having an amplifier, wherein a main surface of the semiconductor chip is provided with a plurality of electrode terminals along an edge portion thereof; wherein the amplifier has a transistor including a control electrode, a first electrode through which a signal is outputted, and a second electrode to which a voltage is applied; wherein the control electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode of the transistor are connected to the electrode terminals, respectively; and wherein none of wirings are arranged between the electrode terminals and placements of the control electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode, making space between the electrodes and the electrode terminals narrow.

A train control system for controlling trains traveling in a track network including tracks with signals associated therewith. The system includes an on-board track database, a positioning system and an on-board control system. The on-board control system receives position data and automatically brakes the train prior to encountering an upcoming signal based upon specified data points. The train is not automatically braked if certain conditions are met. A method for controlling a train traveling in a track network is also disclosed.

A message that contains train on-track information and reservation information of a train detection section and direction information and reservation information of a switch is circulated among a train detector, switch machine, signal device controller and a route indicating device. The train detector updates train on-track information of a train detection section contained in the signaling message, the switch machine updates switch direction information in the signaling message, and the route indicating device updates reservation information of the train detection section and the switch contained in the signaling message. Via the signaling message, the train detector can transmit the train detection result to the signal device controller and the route indicating device, the switch machine can transmit switch condition to the signal device controller, the route indicating device transmits route reservation to the switch machine and the signal device controller, and based on the transmitted train detection result, switch condition and route reservation condition, the signal device controller transmits travel permission or travel non-permission for the assigned route to a train.

The invention relates to automatic route selection technology for a railway vehicle. In a method and a system for controlling automatic route selection of the invention, a microelectronic module is adopted to replace the prior relay, the logical relation is completed by an MCU, and the logical design is simpler and more reliable; a wireless remote control mode is introduced to complete the opposing change of a railroad switch, so the work intensity of a driver is reduced; electromagnetic sensing technology is quoted to determine the direction and speed of a train; and a remote integrated monitoring function is increased to master the work states of equipment such as an electric point switch, a railroad switch, a wheel sensor and the like at any time. Therefore, the new functions improve the running safety of the train greatly, ensure the stability of the equipment, and really achieve automatic route selection of the train.

In the state that a train moves from a track circuit 3T toward a track circuit 5T, and a train detection signal TD1 is supplied from the boundary between the track circuits 3T and 5T to the track circuits 3T and 5T, and the train detection signal TD1 is received by the train, if the signal intensity is suddenly reduced greatly immediately after the axle of the train passes the boundary between the track circuits 3T and 5T, it can be decided that the train passes the boundary between the track circuits 3T and 5T. Therefore, if absolute position information of the track circuit 5T is preserved beforehand in the train, the movement distance calculated from pulse output of a speed generator is corrected (replaced) in the absolute position information of the track circuit 5T, and hereafter is updated by the pulse output, thus the position of the own train can be easily detected as a movement distance.

A system for remote control of an electrically operated railroad wayside equipment having a power supply for powering the wayside equipment. a central controller provides central control signals. A transmitter associated with the controller receives the control signals and transmits communications signals corresponding to the control signals. A remote equipment controller controls operation of the wayside equipment in response thereto.

The invention discloses a servicing work system of an electric locomotive. The system is mainly composed of a car puller system, a servicing work robot system and a monitoring system, wherein the monitoring system is provided with a safety warning system and is used for completing instructions and authorization of the whole servicing work process to ensure the normal and ordered progression of the whole work process; the car puller system is used for pulling the electric locomotive in or out a servicing work area without electricity under the unified schedule of the monitoring system; and to the electric locomotive which has been in place to wait for servicing, the work robot of the servicing work robot system is controlled to service a car roof through a car roof visual system, and meanwhile the reasonable match of manual servicing and auxiliary work robot servicing is realized. The servicing work system of the electric locomotive can realize electroless work of the servicing work area, thoroughly solves the problem of casualty accidents caused by electric shocks during servicing work, and overcomes the defects of large amount of manual labor, low working efficiency, poor safety and the like in the prior art.

A system determines real-time locations of railcars in a railroad environment. Railcars are equipped with at least four RFID tags. A RFID reader at a fixed location at every track branch in the environment reads the RFID tags. Railcar locations are updated for the railcars by determining the branches on which the railcars are located.

A method of forming an integrated circuit (IC) includes forming a first and second plurality of spacers on a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a silicon layer, and wherein the first plurality of spacers have a thickness that is different from a thickness of the second plurality of spacers; and etching the silicon layer in the substrate using the first and second plurality of spacers as a mask, wherein the etched silicon layer forms a first plurality and a second plurality of fin field effect transistor (FINFET) channel regions, and wherein the first plurality of FINFET channel regions each have a respective thickness that corresponds to the thickness of the first plurality of spacers, and wherein the second plurality of FINFET channel regions each have a respective thickness that corresponds to the thickness of the second plurality of spacers.

A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system. Similar movement planners exist for moving trains in yards or terminals. Coordination is achieved and system efficiency improved by interfacing the line of road and yard planners.